Can an Enrichment Programme with Novel Manipulative and Scent Stimuli Change the Behaviour of Zoo-Housed European Wildcats? A Case Study

Objects and semiochemicals may be used as enrichment in zoos. Domestic cats release Fraction 3 of Facial Pheromone (F3) by rubbing the muzzle to convey relational territorial information. We aimed evaluate whether how introduction novel objects scent stimuli could change behaviour one group (N = 5 subjects) adult European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) hosted at Parco Natura Viva-Garda Zoological Park, Italy. assessed behavioural changes following (blocks rags) (synthetic F3) via observations over four experimental conditions (baseline, rags, F3 blocks) using continuous focal animal sampling. Our results showed that no differences were found between different baseline, except for condition with blocks when significantly less exploration was observed. Between conditions, performed individual explorative, affiliative, agonistic behaviours, but more inactivity, exposed rags after administration. findings suggest programme did not substantively affect zoo-housed wildcats. However, recorded that, while introduced visual (blocks) do wildcat behaviour, manipulative (rags) might impact their behaviour. Moreover, affiliative behaviours displayed during exposure sprayed such semiochemical play an appeasement role within this study group.